Sri Krishna

Sri Krishna is the Indian Deity symbolizing universal love. According to Hindu scriptures, Krishna is the eighth Avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu - the second of the Holy Hindu Trinity. The legends and stories of Krishna are spread across the whole milieu of Indian theology, philosophy and culture. He is known to have a pastoral childhood but he grew up to become one of the world's greatest warriors and teachers.

'Krishna' in Sanskrit literally means black or dark referring to Krishna's black or dark blue complexion. According to the Mahabharat, the great Indian epic, 'Krishna' means 'Absolute Truth'. This Lord of Love is known by another one hundred and eight names, some of them being 'Gopala', 'Govinda', 'Hari', 'Jagannath ' and 'Madhav'.

Mahabharat is the earliest text that tells the story of Krishna, the Lord incarnate. The sixth book of Mahabharat, known as Bhagavad Gita, contains Krishna's advice to Arjun in the battlefield of Kurukshetra. This has formed one of the most illuminating scriptures of the world. The Harivamsa, an appendix to this epic, contains the earliest detailed version of Krishna's childhood and youth. Bhagvad Purana and Vishnu Purana contain the most elaborate details of the life and teachings of Lord Krishna.

According to Hindu scriptures, Krishna was born in Mathura (presently in Uttar Pradesh, India). He was the eighth son born to Devaki and Vasudev, a noble of the court. Kansa, the malicious King of Mathura, was forewarned in a prophecy, of his imminent death at the hands of Devaki's eighth child. Inhibited by the prophecy, Kansa had put Devaki and Vasudev in prison. Krishna took birth within the bars of the prison cell. To protect their child from Kansa, Vasudev smuggled out Krishna and left him to be reared by His foster parents - Yashoda and Nanda, the head of a community of cow herders in Gokul. Krishna grew up among the idyllic beauty of Gokul, Vrindavan and Nandagram. The famous childhood chronicles of Krishna center around his feats against the evil powers